Note: This February BOLD Ventures also contains information about activities still to come in January. So, take a look at the January Calendar really soon and sign-up for the events you want to attend.
BOLD VENTURES February 2025
Western Pennsylvania Blind Outdoor Leisure Development
Sponsorship of the February BOLD Ventures is by a BOLD One who wishes to be anonymous. Thanks for your generosity!
It’s soon to be February, time to shake off January and to enjoy some Valentine Love. Oh, and time to honor U.S. Presidents. Happy February!
BOLD Board of Directors
At the December 18, 2024, meeting there were elections for board members. Now here is your BOLD Board of Directors for 2025: President, Nancy Leverett; First Vice-President, Bradlee Tebbs; Second Vice-President, Carol Lubecki; Treasurer, Charlotte Ford; Recording Secretary, Karen Seligman; Corresponding Secretary, Debby Hill; Fundraising and Outreach Chairperson, Terri Winaught; Past President, Tammi Swiantek.
Show your support for BOLD, it’s time to pay dues.
If you haven’t done it already, it is time to pay BOLD dues. The dues for the 2025 are $15. There are two ways to pay your dues. You can send a check payable to WPA BOLD to WPA BOLD, PO Box 9101, Pittsburgh, PA 15224. Or if you like you can use either PayPal or a credit card at the donate button at the bottom of this Newsletter or on our website www.wpabold.blogspot.com and use the “donate” button. If you use our website, be sure to write a note saying that you are paying your dues. If you are new to BOLD and paid your dues after September 30th, you are covered for 2025. Also, if there has been any change in your contact information, please send it to our new treasurer Charlotte Ford at charpitt1995@gmail.com
BOLD Pictures
Our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wpabold includes pictures of BOLD events.
JANUARY CALENDAR
Thursday, January 23, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, BOLD Game Night on the conference line 385-799-9487. Penny will host, and she has ideas for games to play, but she will be counting on you to choose the fun! You do not have to sign-up for this event, just come and enjoy!
Sunday, January 26, 9 am, Downhill Skiing at Seven Springs Resort. No cost for ski equipment and lift tickets. Everyone is responsible for their own lunch. If you are interested in being a guide for BOLD’s vision impaired downhill skiers on January 26th, contact Scotto Gray at scottog@yahoo.com by Thursday January 23 to sign up and get more information. For vision impaired skiers for the January 26 ski day make your reservation by 9 pm Tuesday, January 21 with Nancy at 412-561-3972.
Sunday, January 26, from 1 to 4 pm, card party at Ray Jablonowski’s home, 4551 Parade St. Pittsburgh, Pa, 15207. Cost is free. Enjoy an afternoon of playing Ray’s favorite card game Screw Your Neighbor! There will be plenty of snacks. To make a reservation call Linda at 412-681-9686 by 8 pm Thursday January 23.
Thursday, January 30, from 7 to 8:30 pm, winter poetry and short story reading on the conference line 385-799-9487. Hosted by Penny. When you sign up be sure to say if you are going to read a winter-themed poem or story or be a listener in the audience. Sign up with Terri by 10 pm Monday, January 27 at 412-441-0925 or email terriwinaught2@gmail.com.
FEBRUARY CALENDAR
Sunday February 2, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, indoor ice skating at the Hunt Armory Ice Rink, 324 Emerson St, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. There is no charge for ice time or skate rentals thanks to sponsorship by the Penguins Foundation. The actual ice time is one hour starting at 2:00. Please arrive early to sign a release, get skates, and pair up with guides. We need sighted guides to make our skating event a success. When signing up, please indicate if you are willing to guide a skater. Also let us know if you are a visually impaired skater who wishes to be paired with a guide. When leaving a message please provide a return phone number. Reserve by Monday, January 27 by 8:00 pm with Brad at 412-600-9661 or bradleetebbs@gmail.com.
Monday, February 3, from 6 to 8 pm, Board Meeting in-person at Western PA School for Blind Children, 250 N. Bellefield Avenue, Oakland. Any non-board Members who want to attend must call Nancy at 412-561-3972 by Saturday, February 1.
Tuesdays, February 4 and 18, from 9 am to 12:30 pm, Mall Walking at the Monroeville Mall. Cost is free. Lunch is on your own at the food court. Sighted guides and visually impaired walkers sign up by 11 am the Tuesday prior to the walk by calling Peggy at 412-683-6070 or text her at 412-977-2351. So, to sign up for February 4, contact Peggy by 11 am Tuesday, January 28, and for February 18 contact Peggy by 11 am February 18.
Tuesday, February 4, 2 pm, Informational talk and discussion about VisAbility Pittsburgh, formerly BVRS, on the BOLD Conference Line, 385-799-9487. Presented by Amelie Colletti. Hear about the new services that have been added along with all the programs available for people with visual impairments.
Every Thursday in February, from noon to 1:30, Ice skating at the Mount Lebanon Ice Center, 900 Cedar Blvd., Pittsburgh, 15228. Cost is $6. If you’re looking for some exercise in the new year consider Thursday ice skating. The ice is great, and accommodations can be made for all experience levels. If you’ve been thinking of trying skating, but you are worried about getting a ride, go ahead and sign up, and we may be able to find you transportation. We need sighted ice skaters to be guides on and off the ice. Sign-up by 8 pm on the Sunday before each date by leaving a voicemail or text for Tammi at 412-951-6528 or email at tswiantek@comcast.net.
Sunday, February 9, 9 am, Downhill Skiing at Seven Springs Resort. No cost for ski equipment and lift tickets. Everyone is responsible for their own lunch. Future downhill ski dates: March 2 and 16.
If you are interested in being a guide for BOLD’s vision impaired downhill skiers on February 9, contact Scotto Gray at scottog@yahoo.com by Thursday, February 6 to sign up and get more information. For vision impaired skiers for the February 9 ski day make your reservation by 9 pm Tuesday February 4 with Nancy at 412-561-3972.
Wednesdays, February 12 and 26, from 7 to 9:30 pm SE Wisconsin BOLD virtual bingo, for all the sign-up information leave a voicemail or text Tammi at 412-951-6528 or email at tswiantek@comcast.net. Good luck and have fun!
Thursday, February 27, 7:00 to 8:30 pm, BOLD Game Night on the conference line 385-799-9487. Penny will host, and she has ideas for games to play, but she will be counting on you to choose the fun! You do not have to sign-up for this event, just come and enjoy!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Future Ski Dates at Seven Springs: March 2 and 16.
We are still planning to have a BOLD 50th anniversary party, but for the time being it is being postponed. However, if you know of a former member blind or sighted that we could invite to the party, contact Nancy at 412-561-3972 and give her the name and any contact information you have.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Anyone interested in getting information about upcoming audio described plays or the availability of tickets for cultural events such as symphony or chamber music concerts, or operas, please call Joyce at 412-521-4385.
BOLD BITS
Note: If you have any information about BOLD members that you would like included as a BOLD Bit in a future BOLD Ventures newsletter, Contact Terri at 412-441-0925 before the 15th of the month, so that she has time to get the information in the upcoming month’s newsletter.
Bunches of get well wishes go out to Natasha Kinder who is dealing with some health challenges.
We’re sending prayers and positive energy out to Joyce Driben who is having hip replacement surgery on February 11.
CONGRATULATIONS to Penny Fleckenstein’s son, Zachary, who will be performing on President’s Day at Disney World as a member of the Gateway High School band. Zachary plays the trombone.
My BOLD Take by Randi Shelton
With temps in the low 30s and no wind, we had a perfect day for playing in the snow! It had been years since I'd gone snow tubing. The tracks at Boyce Park were well groomed, and the tubes were nice and big. The tracks seemed to get faster the more we slid down them. It was so nice that the staff closed the park to the public so we could enjoy some good winter fun without crowds of people. Thank you to the staff for making us all feel so welcome. The pizza party in the lodge after tubing was fun too. It's always nice to catch up with friends I haven't seen in a long time. I can't wait to do it all again next year!
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The BOLD Board would like to thank The Allegheny County Parks for the sponsorship of the snow tubing event on January 12. Their generosity made the event a big success for BOLD members.
Happy February Birthday to
Sherri Crum, Missy Demchak, Mitch Demchak, Jamie Robinson, Sam Wagoner, Aimee Yunt and anyone else celebrating a February birthday!
Be a BOLD Ventures Sponsor
Thanks to all the BOLD Folks who sponsored BOLD Ventures in 2024! Because of your generosity, all months in 2024 were covered. As you know, BOLD prides itself on the fact that our monthly newsletter, BOLD Ventures, is made available to our members in the format of their choice—email, braille, print and large print. In 2025, you could help cover some of the cost by being a BOLD Ventures sponsor for a month by making a $50 donation to BOLD. If you wish, for your donation, you will get your name and a short greeting of your choice in BOLD Ventures. For more information and to set up your sponsorship, contact Debby at 412-742-4288 or dm-hill@comcast.net.
NEWSLETTER RECORDING
Thanks to the fine work of Marty Mathews, anyone can hear a recording of this newsletter by calling 401-252-0029 Access Code: 265365#.
Contact Us
WPA BOLD
PO Box 9101
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Email: boldwpa@gmail.com
Website: www.wpabold.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/wpabold
Editors: Debby Hill & friends